Pro Sports

Westbrook's triple-double leads Thunder past Timberwolves

Posted March 12, 2015 11:00 pm

By CLIFF BRUNT

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes off between Minnesota Timberwolves center Justin Hamilton (41) and guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Russell Westbrook collected his sixth triple-double in eight games and scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder pull away for a 113-99 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Westbrook checked out with 2:13 remaining, seemingly a rebound short of the feat, but a scoring change gave him his 10th rebound to go with 12 assists.

He has eight triple-doubles this season and 16 in his career.

Enes Kanter had 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Dion Waiters and Mitch McGary added 12 points apiece for the Thunder.

Gorgui Dieng had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Justin Hamilton had 17 points and 10 boards for the Timberwolves, who have lost seven of eight.

Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return.

The Timberwolves hung tough until the middle of the fourth quarter, when Westbrook's pullup 3-pointer gave the Thunder a 95-82 lead. Westbrook drained a long 3-pointer and was fouled, then made the free throw to give the Thunder a 106-90 advantage with 3:31 remaining.

Westbrook was relatively quiet in the first half until his 32-footer as time expired in the first half gave the Thunder a 55-49 edge. Kanter had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, while Dieng had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Westbrook got his 10th assist in the third quarter, and Kanter continued his strong play to help the Thunder take a 79-72 lead into the fourth.

___

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: C Nikola Pekovic sat out with a sore right ankle. ... F Kevin Garnett missed the game with a sore knee. ... The Timberwolves had one assist as a team in the first quarter.

Thunder: F Serge Ibaka sat out with a sore right knee. ... McGary, a rookie, got his first career start. ... Waiters started in place of Kyle Singler, who had started all 10 games since he had been acquired at the trade deadline.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: At San Antonio on Sunday.

Thunder: Host Chicago on Sunday.

___

Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (23) shoots between Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) and guard Kevin Martin (23) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 13, 2015. Thunder center Steven Adams is at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kyle Singler (5) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne (3) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Mitch McGary (33) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Basketball NBA Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.